First fully intact Viking boat burial site uncovered

Archaeologists have uncovered the UK’s first fully intact Viking boat burial site in the west Highlands. It’s believed the site at Ardnamurchan is over 1,000 years old.

Judging by the artefacts buried alongside the Viking in his boat, archaeologists say it’s likely he was a high-ranking warrior.

He was found buried with an axe, a sword with a decorated hilt, a spear, a shield boss and a bronze ring, the BBC reports, along with 200 or so metal rivets from the disintegrated ship.

“This is a very exciting find,” said Dr Hannah Cobb, co-director of the project and archaeology teaching fellow at the University of Manchester. “Though we have excavated many important artefacts over the years, I think it’s fair to say that this year the archaeology has really exceeded our expectations.”

“A Viking boat burial is an incredible discovery, but in addition to that, the artefacts and preservation make this one of the most important Norse graves ever excavated in Britain,” she added.

Museums could bid for the chance to exhibit artefacts discovered in the Viking boat burial.

According to the BBC, it’s expected that the Crown will claim the objects on behalf of the nation. This means that museums could apply to keep and exhibit the artefacts, if they can prove they have the facilities to care for the objects.

Dozens of pieces of iron found at the site still haven’t been identified.